Released by Commissioner Putnam’s Office
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam recently opened the third camp dedicated solely to wounded veterans participating in the Operation Outdoor Freedom program, which is run by the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The American Warrior Pride Lodge is in the Withlacoochee State Forest in Citrus County.
“The brave men and women who have served our country, defending our freedom, deserve all the respect and honor we can possibly give them. While nothing we can do can repay them for their sacrifices, I’m proud that we have launched and built the ‘Operation Outdoor Freedom’ program during my tenure as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Operation Outdoor Freedom is a public-private partnership that provides outdoor, recreational events, such as fishing and hunting, at no cost to veterans. The three camps, Camp Prairie in Lake Wales, Peace River Camp in Arcadia and American Warrior Pride Lodge in Hernando, consist of bunk houses, outdoor kitchens, dining areas, fire pits and restroom facilities. They are outfitted to accommodate the needs of every wounded veteran participating in the program.
Since Commissioner Putnam launched Operation Outdoor Freedom, the first and only program of its kind in the nation, nearly 4,000 wounded veterans have participated in over 500 outdoor, recreational and rehabilitative events throughout the state.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has honored our Purple Heart recipients and their families through two events on Purple Heart Day and a special dedication of forest land. This year, Commissioner Putnam dedicated 4,500 acres on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest as a Purple Heart Tract. It serves as a permanent commitment from the State of Florida to the men and women who put it all on the line.